liu1撩
Jyutpingliu1
Yalelīu
Definition
To provoke, tease, or initiate action in others.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the active, often annoying, attempt to get a reaction from someone else. It implies a sense of pestering or teasing that is meant to disrupt the status quo. While it can be used for harmless teasing, it frequently carries a negative connotation of being a troublemaker.
Examples
Why are you trying to provoke me into talking?
He always likes to pick fights with others.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 撩, which can mean to flirt or hit on someone. In Cantonese, it is much more commonly associated with picking fights or pestering someone to get a reaction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
